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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Consolation" by Daniel Berrigan is a deeply evocative and contemplative poem that explores themes of memory, loss, and the complex relationship between the living and the dead. Through its vivid imagery and subtle cadence, the poem invites readers to listen to the voices of the dead, presenting this communion as a form of solace and a profound connection to the past. The opening lines, "Listen / if now and then / you hear the dead," immediately establish an intimate and reflective tone, urging the reader to attune themselves to the whispers of those who have passed. The dead are described as "muttering like ashes / creaking like empty / rockers on porches," evoking images of absence and the remnants of life. These metaphors not only convey the quiet and persistent presence of the dead but also the haunting nature of grief and memory. Berrigan's use of repetition in "filling you in filling you in" emphasizes the ongoing influence of the dead on the living, suggesting that the voices of the past continue to inform, shape, and fill the emptiness left behind. This process of being "filled in" by the dead is likened to "winds in empty / branches like stars / in wintry trees," imagery that captures the beauty and melancholy of remembering. The comparison to natural elements—the wind and the stars—implies a connection to something vast and eternal, framing memory and loss within the broader cycles of nature. The concluding lines, "so far / so good / you’ve mastered finally / one foreign tongue," suggest that coming to terms with loss and learning to hear the voices of the dead is akin to learning a new language. This "foreign tongue" represents the silent, often incomprehensible language of grief and remembrance, a language that, once mastered, offers a form of consolation. The phrase "so far / so good" implies a cautious optimism, acknowledging the ongoing journey of grappling with loss and the gradual understanding and acceptance that comes with time. "Consolation" is a meditation on the ways in which the dead continue to inhabit the world of the living, not as spectral figures but as enduring presences that comfort, haunt, and ultimately teach us. Through its lyrical exploration of grief and memory, the poem offers a nuanced perspective on the process of mourning and the subtle ways in which the dead remain a part of our lives. Daniel Berrigan's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to articulate the ineffable aspects of human experience, providing solace in the face of loss and a deeper connection to the continuum of life and death. POEM TEXT: https://danielberrigan.org/poems/
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SHEPHERD, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE LADY'S 'YES' by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING AN ODE TO HIMSELF by BEN JONSON A FORSAKEN GARDEN by ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE MISUNDERSTANDINGS by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN HE WILL GIVE ME POWER by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |
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